JOHN MARK HICKS MADISONVILLE, KY MAY 6, 1996

DIMENSIONS OF WORSHIP

We are a people dedicated to the praise of God's glory.Ephesians 1:6,12,14; Rom. 15:9-11; 1 Peter 2:9

Definition: Worship is (1) our response of praise (2) to God (3) because of who he is and what he has done (4) as we live in covenant with him. Worship is our response to the presence of God.

Framework: Worship is a "question of ultimate allegiance: Whom do you serve?"1 Worship is our commitment to God's cause; it is loyalty or covenant faithfulness.

"Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him" (Matt. 4:10 quoting Dt. 6:13).

"Fear the Lord and serve him" (Dt. 10:20; cf. 10:12; 13:4).

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness" (Jos. 24:14).

"But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart" (1 Sam. 12:24;

cf. 12:14,20).

Holistic Vision: Worship is the submission and sacrifice of our lives for the purpose of glorifying God in everything we do as our response to God's creative and redemptive acts. It is the orientation of our being through the recognition of who we are as God's people whom he has created to share communion with him.

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God"

(1 Cor. 10:31).

1D. A. Carson, "'Worship the Lord Your God': The Perennial Challenge," in Worship: Adoration and Action, ed. by D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993), 13. Also, Chuck Kraft, "Shouldn't we be teaching people how to worship?," Worship Leader 2.6 (December/January 1994), 11: "Worship primarily is about allegiance."

"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving

thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17).

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living

sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (Rom. 12:1).

"...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy

priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Pet 2:5).Corporate Worship: "Worship is active communion with God in which believers by grace and through faith focus their [wills' direction (JMH)], hearts' affection and minds' attention on humbly glorifying God in response to his character, his acts and his Word" as we lift our eyes beyond the fallen world to God's throneroom.2 It is where God by grace makes himself present to his gathered people, and his gathered people respond through faith when they offer their gifts of praise to him which flow from their lives of submission and service to him.

"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice....He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God" (Ps. 50:5,23).

"Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel" (Ps. 68:26).

"Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints" (Ps. 149:1). Cf. Ps. 22:22,25; 26:12; 35:18; 40:9,10; 89:5; 107:32; 111:1 for other "assembly" texts.

"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God...to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven...to God...Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:22-23, 28).

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name" (Heb. 13:15).

"...there before me was a great multitude the no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb'" (Rev. 7:9-10).

2Robert Wenz, Room for God? A Worship Challenge for a Church-Growth and Marketing Era (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), 69. Wenz credits Bruce Leafbald of Southwestern Baptist Seminary for this definition.

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Christian Corporate Worship: Worship is our active communal response through God's gifts to us (Baptism and Lord's Supper) whereby we praise God for his saving work in Christ as our present hope and we commune with God the Father through his Son Jesus Christ in/by the Holy Spirit as our present experience of salvation. As God is present in the name of Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, we offer our sacrificial gifts of praise.

"For through him [Jesus Christ] we both have access to the Father by the one Spirit...In him [Jesus Christ] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (Eph. 2:18, 21-22).

"....be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always

giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:18b-20).

"...true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit [Holy Spirit, JMH} and Truth [Jesus

Christ, JMH], for the Father seeks those kind of worshippers" (John 4:23, JMH

translation).

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THE WORSHIP ASSEMBLY IN BIBLICAL-THEOLOGICAL THOUGHT

A Redemptive-Historical Matrix

God's Creative/Redemptive Intent: To form a people for himself who would glorify him and commune with him; to create a people who would share the divine dwelling place as God's ekklhsia. Israel was destined to be an "assembly of peoples" (Gen. 28:3; 35:11; 48:4).

• Israel was gathered in an holy assembly at the first Passover (Ex. 12:6, 16).

• "The day of assembly" was Israel's entrance into covenant with

God at Sinai (Ex. 19-24; Dt. 4:10; 9:10; 18:16; cf. Acts 7:38).

• Israel was called to convene in "holy assemblies" for:fi Sabbath (Lev. 23:3)fi Passover (Lev. 23:7,8; Num. 28:18,25)fi Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:21; Num. 28:26)fi Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:24; Num. 29:1)fi Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27; Num. 29:7).fi Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:35-26; Num. 29:12).

• Israel assembled in the shadow of its Holy Place:fi Israel gathered for the building and dedication of the

tabernacle (Ex. 35:1).fi Israel gathered to give to the building of the temple

(1 Chr. 29:1,10,20).fi Israel gathered to dedicate the temple (2 Chr. 5:2,3;

6:3,12,18; 7:8).fi Israel gathered to renewal their covenant (2 Chr.

29:23,28,31,32; 30:2,4,13,17,21-25; Neh. 8:1,18).

• The Church as an assembly (Heb. 10:19-25; 12:22-29).

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fi The Day of Assembly Paralleled (Ex. 24 with Heb. 9)fi The Day of Atonement Paralleled (Lev. 16 with Heb.

10).

• The Eschatological Community before the Throne of God (Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 21-22).

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Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have authorization for free access to the heavenly sanctuary by means of the blood of Jesus, a way which is new and which leads to life, which he made available for us through the curtain (that is to say, by means of his flesh), and since we have a great priest in charge of God's household, let us continue to draw near to God with a sincere heart in fullness of faith, seeing that our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a burdened conscience and the body washed with clean water. Let us continue to hold fast the hope we profess without wavering (for the One who gave the promise is faithful). And let us keep on caring for one another for stimulation of love and good works, not discontinuing our meeting together as some people are regularly doing, but rather encouraging one another and all the more since you see the Day of the Lord approaching.3

The text is filled with "liturgical" language:

"holy place" or "heavenly sancturary"sacrificial language -- blood, priesthood, heart's sprinkledtemple language -- God's oikoß (house), the curtain"draw near" to Godbodies washed -- ritual cleansing at the templeassembling of the people

The grammar is a single sentence.

Since we have access to the heavenly sanctuary (19-21),let us draw near to God (22) -- enter into his presence through

worshiplet us hold fast our profession of hope (23) -- eschatological

professionlet us keep on caring for one another (24) -- mutual

encouragement not discontinuing meeting together but encouraging each

other (25)

What does it mean to "draw near to God" in this liturgical context?

Old Testament Background: to draw near is to approach God in worship (sacrifices and sacrificial meals): Ex. 12:48; 16:9; Lev. 9:5-8; Lev. 21:17-23;

Num. 16:40; 18:3-4,22; 1 Sam. 14:36.Context of Hebrews: 4:16; 7:25; 10:1,22; 11:6; 12:18,22.

Hebrews is an homiletic exhortation (cf. 13:22).We "draw near" to God just as priests of the OT did (cf. Heb.

10:1).

3William Lane, Hebrews, Word Biblical Commentary, 2:273

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We are now present in an heavenly assembly worshipping God.We draw near with an existing relationship, having had

our hearts sprinkled (cf. Ex. 29:21; Lev. 8:30; 16:14-15), and

our bodies washed (Ex. 29:4; Lev. 8:6; 16:4).To "draw near" to God is to enter into his presence; it is to come

before the face of God as an assembly of God's people.

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THE PURPOSE OF THE WEEKLY ASSEMBLY4

What Is The Primary Purpose Of The Sunday Morning Assembly?

Worship Edification

Pedagogic Consumer

Evangelism

To Convict To Seek

Historic Roots

LiturgicalTraditions

ReformedTraditions

20th Century Church

Renewal

19th CenturyFrontier Revival

20th Century Church Growth

Audience God Congregation

Congregation

Outsiders Outsiders

Model Sanctuary where God is Present

School where

students come to

learn

Support Group or

"Pep Rally"

Gospel/Camp

Meetings for conversions

Outsider Events by Churches

Focus Praise Education Meeting Felt Needs

Conversion &

Eschatology

Connecting with Culture

Principle Divinely Regulated

Divinely Regulated

Whatever Edifies is Permitted

Reflection of Culture

Accomoda-tion to Culture

Values Historic Traditions

Biblicism and

Tradition

Variety and Contempor.

Frontier Traditions

Contempor.&

InnovativeCentral

ActivitiesLord's Supper

Sermon as Instruction

Exhortation and Music

Persuasionand Music

Attraction and Music

Main Effect

Reverence;Piety

Learning;Piety

Community of Love/Joy

Invitation to Salvation

Acceptance in

Community

4This typology is a generalization. It does not intend to delimit the multi-purpose character of the assembly. For example, edification advocates do not exclude worship and neither do worship advocates exclude edification. However, there is a marked tendency to emphasize one or the other, or to see the priority of one over the other, or to see them coordinated in such a way that one may shape the other (as is most evident in the evangelism paradigm). All advocates recognize the need for all three purposes, but the typology focuses on how the priority is conceived.

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Advocates:

Church of Christ

Evangelical

A. McNicolM. Weed

R. Webber

TraditionalServices

James White

L. AndersonMike Root

D. Peterson

TraditionalEvangelism

Billy Graham

SeekerServices

Willow Creek

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WORSHIP TRADITIONS/STYLES5

Liturgical Evangelical Charismatic Convergence

Historic Roots

Roman Catholic and

Orthodox"High

Church"

Reformation, particularly Reformed

and Puritan

18th-19th Cent.

Holiness and Revivalism

"Low Church"

20th Century Worship Renewal

Movement

Central Activities

SacramentCeremony

Table-Centered

StudyExposition

Pulpit

CelebrationSpontaneity

Music

PraiseTable-

Centered Music

Worship Focus

FatherPresence of

God

SonThe Work of Redemption

Holy SpiritThe Power of

the Spirit

TrinitarianCharacter

Minister's Worship

Role

Priest Rabbi Prophet Lay Leadership

Effect of Worship

Social Action Personal Holiness

Empowerment for Service

Holiness and Evangelism

Church Model

Institutional/Incarnational

Institutional/Pedagogical

Dynamic/Organic

Dynamic/Organic

Focal Concern

Reverence Understanding

Experience Praise

Evangelicals Marva Dawn J. Kennedy J. Cornwall R. Webber

5I have conflated two charts and added the column entitled "convergence." The two charts are from Dan Scott, The Emerging American Church (Anderson, IN: Briston Books, 1993), 271 and Robert Webber, Worship: Old & New, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 133. On the convergence movement, see Randy Sly and Wayne Boosahda, "The Convergence Movement," in The Twenty Centuries of Worship, ed. by Robert Webber (Nashville: Abbott Martyn, 1994), 134-40.

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Reese's Categories6

On the Trail of Encounter

Old Paths & Middlers

Third Wave of the Spirit

At the Frontier

Advocates in Churches of

Christ

"Neo-Conser"Michael Weed

Christian Studies

Mainstream and

"Right Wing"

"Left Wing"Don FintoBelmont Church

"Connectors"Lynn

AndersonWineskins

6Jack Reese's categories come from "Worship in Transistion, Part Two," Image 9.6 (November/December 1993), 7-8. "Third Wave" is my addition to Reese' categories. Charismatic worship was rejected by Churches of Christ in the late 1960s and early 1970s except for particular congregations like Belmont in Nashville.. However, the rise of the "Third Wave" may see some introduction of charismatic tendencies in Churches of Christ. "Middle of the Road" might represent a journal like the Gospel Advocate whereas the "Right Wing" might be represented by Spiritual Sword.

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WORSHIP IN THE PSALMSTHE ASSUMED CONTEXT OF THE PSALTER

Gathering of God's People.

Key texts: Ps. 22:22,25; 26:12; 35:18; 40:9-10; 68:26; 107:32; 111:1; 149:1.

At the temple, Israel gathers as God's ekklhsia.

The Presence of God as the Precondition of Worship.

When the saints gather, God "comes" into their presence (Pss. 50; 68).

Psalms 95-100 illustrate this emphasis: We come before the "face" of God (95:2; 96:6,9,13; 98:6,9, 100:2). We seek the face of God in the sanctuary (Ps. 24:6).

"When can I go and meet with [behold the face of] God?" (Ps. 42:2).

We worship before the face of God (Dt. 26:10; 1 Sam. 1:19; Ezk. 46:3,9; Ps. 22:27; 86:9; 1 Chr. 16:29; 20:18).

THE ACT OF WORSHIP: PRAISE

Our response of praise is sometimes adoration.Our response of praise is sometimes lament.Our response of praise is sometimes thanksgiving.

WORSHIP AS THE FULFILLMENT OF COVENANTAL COMMUNION

The covenantal promise of God has always been: "I will be your God and you will be my people, and I will dwell among you." God is the "holy one in the midst of Israel" (cf. Dt. 6:15; 7:21; Is. 12:6; Hos. 11:9; Zeph. 3:15,17).

Worship is that entrance into the presence of God where that communion is experienced, so that even the outsider could fall on his face, worship God and declare, "God is really among you" (1 Cor. 14:25). In Israel, the nations would learn to come, fall down and worship before the face of God (Ps. 86:9). We are the temple of God now in whom God dwells (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:18-20; 2 Cor. 6:16).

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Worship as covenantal communion anticipates the heavenly communion when the fulfillment of God's promise will be fully experienced. In that setting we will serve God, and we will see his face (Rev. 22:3-4).

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EXPRESSIONS OF WORSHIP7

ADDRESSING GOD WITH PRAISE, HONOR, & GLORY

Orientation Disorientation New Orientation8

Types Adoration Lament Thanksgiving

Description Contemplative worship which delights in the

character and person of God as Creator and

Sustainer of Life

Worship offered in the midst of

disillusionment in response to the experience of

fallenness (suffering, sin, etc.)

Grateful worship which offers God gifts in response to God's redemptive acts who

recreates life in salvation

Function Profession of Faith Prayer for Help Thanks for Help

Effect Peace with God Wait on/Trust in God Service for God

Focus Person of God Hiddenness of God Works of God

Attitude Reflective Questioning Appreciative

Dynamic Intimate Groaning Celebrative

Our Status Creatures Sinners Redeemed

Examples Ps 8, 62, 63; Rev 4 Ps 13, 22, 51; Rev 6:10

Ps 34, 66, 118; Rev 5

Psalm Genres ConfidenceTorah

Wisdom

LamentPenitential

Imprecatory

ThanksgivingRoyal Psalms

Hymns of Praise

Redemptive History

Creation Law

FallSin & Suffering

RedemptionSalvation

Fulfillmentin Christ

Incarnational Presence as

Prophet (Revealer)Ps. 8:4-5 with Hebrews 2:6-8

Suffering and Deathas Priest

Ps. 22:1,16 with Mark 15:34 and John 19:34

Resurrection and Exaltation as King

Ps 118:22-24 with 1 Pet 2:7 and Acts 4:11

7I have adapted this from Robert Wenz, Room for God? A Worship Challenge for a Church-Growth and Marketing Era (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), 70. Wenz credits Bruce Leafbald of Southwestern Baptist Seminary for this chart. I have augmented and changed his particulars, but the idea to represent worship in this manner is his. His categories were originally adoration, thanksgiving and praise. I have changed them to adoration, lament and thanksgiving. I believe praise is an inclusive category.8These categories are derived from Walter Bruggeman, Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984), 16.

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The Worship of Jesus

Jesus worshipped as Immanuel(Mt 2:11)

Jesus worshipped as the Crucified One (Mt.

27:54; Mark 15:39)

Jesus worshipped asResurrected Lord

(Mt 28:17; Lk 24:52)

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CLASSIFICATION OF PSALM TYPESCompiled by John Mark Hicks

Hymns of Praise (66,68,95,100,103,111,113-114,117,135,146-150)

are a broad classification covering every orientation.

Orientation Psalms

Definition: Psalms written in the context of "satisfied seasons of well-being that evoke gratitude for the constancy of blessing." These "articulate joy" in the light of God's creation and governing law. They are faithful professions .

Hymns of Creation (8,19,33,104,145)Songs of Confidence (11,16,23,27,46,62,91,121,125,131,133)Torah Psalms (1,15,19,24,119)Wisdom Psalms (1,14,32,37,49,73,78,112,119,127-128,133)

Disorientation Psalms

Definition: Psalms written in the context of "seasons of hurt, alienation, suffering and death" which "evoke rage, resentment, self-pity and hatred." The sense of well-being has been overwhelmed and the response is prayer.

Personal Laments (3-7,9-11,13-14,16-17,22,25-28,31,35-36,38-43,52-57,59

61-64,69-71,77,86,88,94,102,109,120,130,139-143).Communal Laments (12,14,44,53,58,60,74,79-

80,83,85,90,94,106,108,123,126,129,139).

Penitential (6,32,38,51,102,130,143).Covenant Renewal (50,81).Imprecatory (35,48,69,82,83,109,137).

New Orientation Psalms

Definition: Psalms written in the context of the surprising works of God where "we are overwhelmed with the new gifts of God." The petitioner has been transformed and this evokes a response of thanksgiving.

Individual Thanksgiving (18,21,30,34,40-41,66,92,103,108,116,118,138).

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Communal Thanksgiving (65-67,75,100,107,124,129,136).Royal Psalms (2,18,20-21,24,29,45,47,72,89,93,95-

99,101,110,114,132,144).Songs of Zion (46,48,76,84,87,121-122).Narrative Psalms (78,105-106,135-136).

Based on Bruggeman's contextual scheme (Message of the Psalms, p. 19) and the classification of Psalms by assorted writers (primarily Gunkel, Miller, McCann, Bellinger among others).

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Praise/Glory/Honor/Bless

We may praise, glorify, honor and bless God in assemblies

Acts Psalms New Testament

through singing 9:2,11; 33:2; 71:22; 105:2

Eph. 5:18-20

through praying 18:1,49; 21; 71:6; 108:3-4

Acts 4:23-31

through teaching 9:1; 50:7; 105:2; 111; 112

Acts 20:7-11

through eating 50:14-15,23; 116:13-19

Acts 2:46-47

through gifts 37:21; 68:29; 76:11; 112:9

Acts 4:32-27

through fasting 35:13; 69:10; 109:24 Acts 13:2through discipline 5:10 (15:1; 24:3) 1 Cor. 5:4-5through testimony 34:2; 66:16; 143:8 Acts 14:27; 15:4through reading 1,19,119 1 Tim. 4:13

through consecrations

30:0,89,132 Acts 6:6; 13:3

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WORDS AND FORMS: TRADITIONAL OR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC?

Importance: What do you usually remember about the Sunday service?

1. What makes a good or bad song?

Content is the criterion for a good or bad song, not style. To whom is the song addressed? Vertical vs. Horizontal?What does it teach? Is it Biblical? How does it focus us?Are the words worth singing? Are they meaningful?

However, style is a crucial point even though it is a matter of taste (like/dislike). Some style differences are:tune, melody and tempourban vs. ruralnew and oldsimplicity and complexity

What does music do? Why not read instead of sing?1. It has emotional-evocative impact; it draws out our emotions.2. It is expressive of our deepest feelings and yearnings.3. It induces a corporate attitude and focus.4. It has a socializing force even beyond the assembly itself.5. It involves the whole person's body (lips, hands, feet). 9

Test for Cross-Cultural Music: PASS10

1. Personal -- they relate in some way to people's everyday lives and involve their whole being, including their emotions. Do both seeker Bob and saint Bill feel as if the song is coming from them? Do they see themselves in it--their need to be close to God; their elation, hurt, awe, or even doubt?

2. Attractive -- they hold people's attention. Does the song "grab" people? Is it hard to forget? Will they leave the assembly humming it or thinking about it for the rest of the week?

3. Singable -- both seeker Bob and saint Bill can understand and latch onto them quickly. Is it singable (and understandable) without being trite or innocuous? Can it be sung without rehearsing for several Sundays or referring to the Dictionary of Chistianese?

4. Substantive -- they have a thoroughly biblical message that is faithful to

9Campbell, "Dancing," Millennial Harbinger (1851), 506: "So in religion, when it obtains the aid of the Spirit, inspired with its holy aims and heavenly aspirations, it moves both soul and body in harmony with the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Tongue, hand, and foot, are instruments of righteousness and unrighteousness, as the heart may be....[p.507]...if I saw a Christian man or woman hymning or singing psalms and dancing, I could not condemn him, because I read of one so joyful in the Lord that he entered into the temple walking, and leaping, and praising God." Campbell, however, is opposed to structured "religious dances" (liturgical acts) in the worship assembly.10Sally Morgenthaler, Worship Evangelism: Inviting Unbelievers into the Presence of God (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 214-217.

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the whole counsel of Scripture. Are the song's lyrics balanced with both spirit and truth? Do they express doctrine and devotion, truth about God and a heartfelt response to God?

Songs should praise, teach, evoke a mood/emotion and be memorable.

Worship styles should be regarded as clearly indifferent and relative to the

cultural and situational context of the assembled body of Christians.

2. How can we enhance style?

Solo Leadership has been our tradition.

Team (Group) Leadership is a growing tradition among Churches of Christ.

Teams sometimes stand before the church to lead.Teams sometimes sit with their own microphones to lead parts.Teams sometimes stand in the back with microphones.

Is Team (Group) Leadership expedient?Caution: we must resist "performance" music.Value: Harmony parts are heard and thus easier to sing.

Permits the broader use of musical gifts. Enhances the sound of the music and offers more

consistency. Helps those who do not read music.

3. May we use special music in the worship assembly?

Exclusive congregational singing has been our tradition in recent years. However, among Churches of Christ in the late 1800s and early 1900s, quartets were common and some husband-wife teams sang duets in the assembly (e.g., the Larimores).

M.C. Kurfees, author of Instrumental Music in the Worship [Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1911], "Is Solo Singing Permissible in the Public Worship of God?," Gospel Advocate 55 (May 15, 1913), 464: "But why is it right for any number of persons to sing simultaneously in the worship of God? For the simple reason that God has nowhere specified how many shall or shall not do so. He has nowhere limited it to some specific number. On this point he has placed no limitation one way or another. It is a point on which God has not legislated at all, and man should not undertake to do so. Hence, so far as the mere question of the number of persons who may song at one time is concerned, one person or any number of persons may sing God's praise and impart instruction in the worship of God."

G. C. Brewer, "It is no violation of anything in the New Testament--rather, it is sanctioned by it--for one man to sing to the audience if he can thereby edify and

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admonish the audience. Nor is it wrong for two persons, four persons, or six persons together before the assembly and admonish them with a song or speak to them through a hymn--provided always, of course, that the singers are themselves worshipers and that they are singing for scriptural purposes, and provided, also, that they do not do all the singing and thereby take away the right and privilege that belongs to every Christian--to praise God in song." The Model Church (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate, 1957), 150.

Howard Norton, Chairman of Bible Department, Oklahoma Christian University, "Church Needs Doctrinal Balance," Christian Chronicle 47 (January 1990), 22: "This writer grew up in a church of Christ that had a children's chorus at every single Sunday service. We also had quartets, trios, and duets; but there are people in our fellowship today who are ready to fight rather than allow an occasional special song to be a part of the worship service. Why? Because the Bible says it is wrong? No, because we have not done it traditionally."

Special music (solos, quartets, and small group singing) are a growing tradition among Churches of Christ.

I value congregational singing as the fundamental expression of musical worship in the assembly for three reasons:

(1) it is participatory--everyone participates.(2) it is communal--it expresses our oneness.(3) it expresses the priesthood of all believers.

Is special music biblical?Does it inherently violate any of the above principles? Does

leading prayer? Does solo preaching?

Does it violate Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16?Does the reflexive pronoun denote simultaneous

reciprocal action? Cf. Heb. 3:13; 1 Pet. 4:10; Jude 1:20; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13.

It only denotes mutual action, not the timing of the action.Does Hebrews 2:12 reflect special music?

Heb. 2:12 quotes Psalm 22.Psalm 22 is written in the singular.He intends to speak "to my brothers" and "in the

congregation."Does 1 Corinthians 14:26 reflect special music?

Each one (singular, eJkastoß) has a particular activity.Teaching, revelation, tongue and interpretation are solo

activities; and regulated in the context as ordered sequences (v. 27, 29). Tongues and prophecy are

the only one's regulated because of the problem related to

both.Psalm (yalmoß) would be the exception to the others if it

were not solo.

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Could yalmoß refer to Scripture reading? Paul has just used the

verb yallw for singing in 1 Cor. 14:15.

Is special music expedient?Caution: we must resist "performance" music.Value: it permits musical "testimony."

it offers a means of learning new songs. it offers a worship of "listening and meditation." it permits a "musical illustration" for the sermon.

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Worship Styles: Bend the Knee, Bow the Head or Raise the Hands?

Bodily Expressions in Scripture: Revelation 4:10; 5:8,14; 7:9.Bending the Knee -- Is. 45:23; Ps. 95:6; 2 Chr. 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Eph.

3:14.Bowing the Head -- Gen. 24:26,48; Ex. 34:8; Ezra 9:5-6; Ps. 35:13;

Luke 18:13.Raising the Hands -- I Kgs 8:22; Neh. 8:6; Ez. 9:5; Ps. 28:2; 63:4;

134:2; 1 Tim. 2:8.Prostrating on the Ground -- Dt. 9:18; Ps. 38:6; 2 Chr. 20:18; Mk.

14:35.Clapping Hands -- Ps. 47:1; 98:8; Isa. 55:12 [2 Kings 11:12].Standing -- Lev. 9:5; Dt. 4:10-11; 29:14; 1 Kgs 8:11; Neh. 8:5; Mt. 6:5;

Lk 18:11,13.Sitting -- Jd 20:26; 21:2; 2 Sam 7:18; Ezra 10:9; [Is 3:26; 47:1]; Lk

4:20; Ax 20:9; 1 Cor 14:30; Ja 2:3; Rev. 4:4,9; 11:16.Dancing -- Ex 15:20; 2 Sam 6:5,14,16,21; Ps 149:3; 150:4; Lk 6:23;

7:32; 15:25; Ax 3:8.

Different StylesLiturgical Style: Formal, Ritual-Oriented, High-Church, Worship-

Focus, Classical Music, Lord's Supper the central event; Pious, Reverent mood; quiet, solemn. Dominant postures: kneeling, standing and bowing the head.

Pedagogical Style: Folksy, Sermon-Oriented, High/Low-Church, Edification focus, Frontier/1930s Music, Sermon the central event; Respect,

School-room atmosphere. Dominant postures: bowing the head.

Praise Style: Informal, Music-Oriented, Low-Church, Worship-Focus, Contemporary Music, Atmosphere the central event;

Celebrative, Boisterous. Dominant postures: Embraces all postures, but emphasizes

raising hands and clapping.Mixed Styles: Informal, Supper & Word as central event, Low

Church, Worship-Focus, Mixed Music styles, Worship as Unitary Event; Moods are different according to theme. Dominant postures: depends upon local and church traditions.

Unity in Diversity (1 Cor. 10:24). We are united in our worship to God through Jesus Christ, and in our

fundamental beliefs such as weekly Lord's Supper and acappella music. We may be diverse in style, but we must develop maturity:11

11Randall Harris, "From Tension to Understanding," Wineskins 1.5 (Sept 1992), 8-9.

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1. The first level of development is tolerance. Can we tolerate different tastes and styles even when we do not like them?

2. The second level of development is mutual consideration. Can we not vary our styles out of respect for what touches the heart of another even if it does not touch ours?

3. The third level of development is appreciation. Can we not appreciate what a particular style does for one even though it is not as meaningful to us?

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THE LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP

1Cor. 14:16-17 e˙pei« e˙a»n eujloghØvß [e˙n] pneu/mati, oJ aÓnaplhrw◊n to\n to/pon touv i˙diw¿tou pw◊ß e˙rei√ to\ aÓmh\n e˙pi« thØv shØv eujcaristi÷aˆ; e˙peidh\ ti÷ le÷geiß oujk oi•den: su\ me«n ga»r kalw◊ß eujcaristei√ß aÓll∆ oJ eºteroß oujk oi˙kodomei√tai.

1Cor. 14:16-17 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the“Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up.

WORSHIP IS DIRECTED TO GOD

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GOD

US OUTSIDER

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WE OFFER OUR BLESSING OUTSIDER IS EDIFIEDOR THANSKGIVING AND SAYS "AMEN"

1. Our worship ought to be edifying to the outsider (idiwtoß) or the unbeliever (apistoß) who is assembled with the church (1 Cor. 14:16,23,24).2. But our blessing or thanksgiving is offered to God--we are singing/praying to God (1 Cor. 14:15). It is an act of praising God. Worship is not directed to the outsider.3. Nevertheless, it is a praise that is intended to instruct and edify the assembly. It cannot be a praise that is disconnected from the corporate intention of the assembly itself (including outsiders and unbelievers).4. The goal of the assembly with regard to the outsider or unbeliever is to generate faith in them, but this is accomplished by means of praising God.5. I think this means we ought to be culturally accomodative while at the same time retaining the integrity of our faith. In other words, we ought to praise God in such a manner and with such language as will introduce outsiders into our circle of faith where they too can say "Amen."

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THE MAIN EVENT: SUPPER OR SERMON?

The Worship Drama

Isolated acts of worship or an integrated whole?What is the focus of the worship assembly?What is the function of prayer and song in relation to the Supper and

WordWhat is the climatic event of a worship assembly?

The Lord's Supper as Main Event

Christians assembled for the purpose of breaking bread (Acts 20:7).

It is a communion of the assembled people with God and each other.Communion with the body and blood of Jesus, 1 Corinthians

10:16.Communion with the body of Christ, the church, 1 Corinthians

10:17.

Is the Lord's Supper an individual or communal event?Paul emphasizes the communal nature of the event (1

Corinthians 11).We are to wait for each other (1 Cor. 11:21,33).We are to share with others who have nothing (1 Cor.

11:22).We should exhibit the oneness of a church (1 Cor. 11:18).

"Examine yourselves" (1 Cor. 11:28) -- This statement is made in the

light of the divisions in the body (1 Cor. 11:18). In other words, make sure that you do not observe the Lord's Supper in such a way that it divides the body of Christ which the bread represents.

How do we enhance the communal experience?One cup did this in the past, but now we have individual cups.One loaf did this is the past, but now we have individual

crackers.Seating and distribution arrangements may add or subtract

from community event.Singing during the supper expresses community:

Private silence versus communal singing?Private meditation versus public celebration?Private reading of Scripture versus public reading of

Scripture?

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The Word: The Preaching Event

Most examples of preaching are evangelistic sermons to non-Christians by

missionaries (as in Acts 2, 3, 7, 13, 14, 17, 22, 26).

Examples of preaching in a worship assembly are rare:Paul spoke in Acts 20:7-11, but he was not the main event.The church is assembled in Acts 15 where Paul, Barnabas, Peter

and James all speak.

Paul and Barnabas give a missionary report to the assembly (Acts 14:27).

Timothy and Titus are told to teach publicly (probably assemblies).

They are to expound Scripture (2 Tim. 4:2).They are to read Scripture publicly (1 Tim. 4:13).

However, the only other clear example of an assembly is 1 Corinthians 14:26 where teaching and edification are done by multiple people. In fact, there was confusion because too many were participating. Paul restricts participation to two or three for each gift (tongues and prophecy). These were practical and orderly limitations for that situation.

How might we conceive "preaching" differently?We have traditionally thought of a single lecturer.Other options:

dialogical preaching -- where two persons interact as sermon.

multiple participants -- where several contribute to the sermon

or the sermon is divided into several sections or there are

multiple sermons/exhortations.emphasis on Scripture reading -- reading dominates the

sermon, or where the reading is presentational (multiple

participants with oral interpretation).What about drama? What do you hear when I say "drama"?

Biblical? Is it a biblical form of teaching?Does the Bible require a lecture format for teaching

in the assembly?Is not drama a kind of object lesson, or a kind of

illustration much like preachers have used

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historically?Dramatic events were used by the OT prophets to

teach.Isaiah walks around naked as a sign (Is. 20).Jeremiah breaks a clay jar (Jer. 19).Jeremiah buys a field (Jer. 32)Hosea marries Gomer (Hosea 1-2).Ezekiel dramatizes the exile (Ezk. 12).Ezekiel dramatizes the siege (Ezk. 4).

The Song of Solomon is a drama.The parables of Jesus are verbal dramas.

Caution: we must resist "performance" mentality.Benefits: it is visual.

it is evocative and drives the point home.it permits the use of gifts.it is memorable.

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LORD'S SUPPER AS COVENANT MEAL--The Old Testament Background--

Covenant Meal in the Clan (Gen. 31:45-55).

Call upon God as a witness between the parties of the covenant.

Swears an oath of loyalty to the covenant.Sacrifices an animal before God.Eats a meal to celebrate and seal the covenant.

Covenant Meal at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1-11).

God enters into covenant with Israel (Ex. 19).The terms of the covenant are explained (Ex. 20-23).

The ten commandments are given (Ex. 20).The "book of the covenant" is given (Ex. 21-23).

The covenant is ratified (Ex. 24).The sacrifices are offered (Ex. 24:1-7).The blood is sprinkled (Ex. 24:8).The leaders eat a meal in the presence of God (Ex.

24:9-11).

Covenant Meal in the Sacrificial System (Lev. 3; 7:11-38).

Herd or Flock Animal Sacrificed (Lev. 3):Worshipper brings the animal and kills it himself.Priests sprinkle the blood on the altar.The fat of the animal is to be burned on the altar as

God's food.The Meal (Lev. 7; eaten the same day, Lev. 22:29-30):

Includes cakes of bread made without yeast (7:12-13).One cake of bread is for the priest (7:14).The worshipper eats the meat of the sacrifice (7:15-16).The breast and right thigh are eaten by the priest

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(7:34).The meal included a drink as well (see Ps. 116:13-17).

Types of Fellowship or Peace Offerings (Lev. 7):Thanksgiving (7:11-15).Vow (7:16)Free-Will (7:16).

This Fellowship Meal is found at key redemptive-history events throughout the history of Israel (2 Chr. 29:31; 33:16 and see my article in the reader; cf. Jer. 17:26).

This Fellowship Meal is found in the habitual worship of Israel as reflected in the Psalms (Ps. 50:14,23; 56:12; 107:22; 116:17).

Covenant Meal in the Church: The Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is the New Covenant Meal (Luke 22:14-22).

It is a Fellowship with Christ's Sacrifice (1 Cor. 10:16-22).It is the Fellowship of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:17-34).

Covenant Meal in the EschatonOld Testament Expectation of this Meal (Is. 25:6-9).Jesus' Expectation of this Meal (Matt. 8:10-12).It is the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and his Bride (Rev.

19:7-9).

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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Lynn, ed. In Search of Wonder: A Call to Worship Renewal. West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing, 1995.

Dobson, Ed. Starting a Seeker Sensitive Service. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

Dozier, Dan. Come Let Us Adore Him: Dealing with the Struggle over Style of Worship in Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1994.

Gaddy, C. Weldon. The Gift of Worship. Nashville: Broadman Pres, 1992.

McArthur, Jr., John. The Ultimate Priority: On Worship. Chicago: Moody Press, 1983.

Martin, Ralph P. The Worship of God: Some Theological, Pastoral, and Practical Reflections. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

Old, Hughes Oliphant. Themes and Variations for a Christian Doxology. Some Thoughts on the Theology of Worship. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.

Peterson, David. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.

Root, Mike. Spilt Grape Juice. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1992.

Scription Drama Company, LaSierra University, Campus Box 1096, Riverside, CA 92515; 909-688-8564 for a catalog of scripts. Cf. Melvin Campbell and Edwin Zackrison, "Responsive Readings and Scripture Readings," Worship Leader 3.4 (July/August 1994), 19-26,35.

Webber, Robert E., ed. The Complege Library of Christian Worship. 7 volumes. Nashville: Star Song Publishing Group, 1993-1994. 1: The Biblical Foundations of Christian Worship. 2: The Twenty Centuries of Worship. 3: Renewal of Sunday Worship. 4: Role of Music and Arts in Worship. 5: The Service of the Christian Year. 6: The Sacred Actions of Worship. 7: The Ministries of Worship.

Webber, Robert. Worship: Old and New. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

White, James F. A Brief History of Christian Worship. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993.

White, James F. Documents of Christian Worship: Descriptive and Interpretive. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.

White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. Rev. Ed. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1980.

White, James F. Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transistion. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989.

Willimon, William H. Word, Water, Wine and Bread. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1980.

Willis, Wendell L. Worship. Austin: Sweet, 1973.

Wright, Tim. A Community of Joy: How to Create Contemporary Worship. Edited by Herb

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Miller. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.

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